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Poyet: Brighton must not be silly

Brighton manager Gus Poyet has called on his side to focus solely on football when they meet Crystal Palace in the Championship play-offs.

The two teams, whose rivalry dates back to a series of intense encounters in the 1970s, will face each other in the first leg of their semi-final tie at Selhurst Park on Friday.

But Poyet is keen for his squad to avoid getting caught up in the occasion as they bid to reach a Wembley final and, ultimately, the Premier League.

"We need to make it about being a football game, only thinking about football and nothing silly," he said.

"Over the two matches it could be two magnificent games of football.

"Let's not do anything silly because it's not worth it. Let's remember it's about who plays better on the day and nothing else - and accept that."

Poyet's Crystal Palace counterpart Ian Holloway also spoke of his desire to prevent Brighton from playing their trademark expansive football.

"We've achieved one thing which is getting in the play-offs and I'm totally and utterly focused on that," he said. "I'm very pleased for the group, they deserve it.

"But now we've got to work and make sure we come up with a plan that can stop their attacking football, stop them winning and then win one of the two games if we can against our arch rivals - which I know all about now."